Ticked off by Narendra Modi, BJP MP removes father as representative

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked his ministers not to appoint any relative in their personal staff

A Bharatiya Janata Patry (BJP) MP, who had named her father as representative in her constituency, has removed him following direction from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who had asked his ministers not to appoint any relative in their personal staff.

BJP sources said MP Priyanka Singh Rawat from Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh took the decision to annul the appointment of her father Uttam Ram after being conveyed that Modi was unhappy with her decision and wanted her to reverse it.

Rawat had issued a circular on May 26, the day Modi was sworn in as Prime Minister, stating Ram would be her representative and is authorised to conduct all government and development work.

Copies of the circular were sent to district officials, including the district magistrate. She had defended her decision saying the appointment was made before Modi's directions to his ministers.

The Modi government has also asked all ministries to take prior approval of the Prime Minister-led Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) before appointing Officer on Special Duty as their personal staff.

"Prior approval of the ACC is required for appointment in the minister's personal staff (other than Private Secretary) at Deputy Secretary and above level. Further, for appointments as Private Secretary, ACC approval is required for all levels," it said, asking the secretaries of all ministries to follow the instructions.

The DoPT's order is seen as an attempt to discourage ministers from appointing private persons, including their acquaintances, friends or relatives, in their personal staff.